Totti joins Serie A’s elite

AFPRoma's Francesco Totti became only the sixth player in Serie A history to score 200 goals, scoring twice in a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina.

Rome – Roma captain Francesco Totti became the sixth player in Serie A history to score 200 goals, finding the target twice in a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina on Sunday to raise his total to 201.

Totti converted a penalty kick in the 27th minute to reach the milestone, then added another goal in the second half.

Silvio Piola, who won the World Cup with Italy in 1938, tops the list with 274 goals, followed by Gunnar Nordahl (225), Giuseppe Meazza (216), Jose Altafini (216) and Roberto Baggio (205).

The 34-year-old Totti also scored twice in last weekend's derby win over Lazio, and has nine goals this season.

Totti made his Serie A debut in 1993 at the age of 16 and has played his entire career with Roma, his hometown club.

Totti said the milestone demonstrates that he has had a “a great career, a career with the same jersey.”

“I'm very proud of what I've done,” he added. “I've always tried to give my best on the pitch and to help the squad.”

Totti had never scored before in Florence, and struggled with long stretches on the bench this season until his former teammate Vincenzo Montella replaced Claudio Ranieri as Roma manager last month.

“There was no problem with Ranieri - actually we had a great relationship,” Totti said. “A lot of things have changed with Vincenzo, most of all the results. I'm back to myself again and I've rediscovered serenity.”

After beating Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc with his penalty, Totti stuck his thumb in his mouth, his celebration of choice lately to recognize his two children.

Totti's second goal came from an angled shot within the area, and he nearly had a hat trick with two more close attempts.

A month ago, there were calls for Totti to retire, but his recent form has shown he can still be decisive, raising questions about how long he'll continue playing.

“I'll start thinking about that in June or July,” Totti said. – Sapa-AP